Bonus story : More than just colleagues : Part 5 : The Preparations

On Friday morning, Aldric woke up with a new concern. Since the previous day, Patrick's invitation had occupied his thoughts. He had already been invited to Emma's home and had discovered on that occasion that entering someone's home involved many invisible rules. Arriving on time, thanking his host, avoiding looking too closely at their personal belongings, and bringing an appropriate gift were now part of his knowledge. However, this new invitation presented a different difficulty: he knew Patrick mainly through work.

He knew how Patrick organized a truck, how he spoke to clients, which straps he preferred to use, and what time he finished his first coffee. He also knew that his team leader enjoyed DIY projects in his free time and owned enough tools to regularly become the target of Lucas's jokes. On the other hand, he knew almost nothing about his personal tastes.

— I expected that...

He opened his digital notebook and created a new note.

Available information about Patrick:

Occupation: Mover.

Activities: DIY projects.

Frequent beverage: Coffee.

Owns numerous tools.

— That considerably complicates the DIY category.

Buying a tool for someone who already owned many presented an obvious risk of duplication. He therefore decided to obtain more information before making his choice.

When he arrived at the depot, Lucas was already there. He held a coffee in one hand and was trying to open a packet of cookies with the other. Karim was checking the straps near the truck while Patrick looked over the schedule.

Aldric waited until their team leader had walked toward the office before turning to Lucas.

— I need information.

Lucas stopped struggling with his packet.

— That sentence never leads to anything normal.

— It's about Patrick.

— Even worse.

— What kind of gift does he appreciate?

— Ah. You're preparing for Saturday.

— Naturally.

Lucas set his coffee down on a crate.

— I knew you were going to turn this into a mission.

— It is, in fact, a mission.

— Patrick likes coffee.

Aldric opened a note on his phone.

— Type?

— Coffee.

— Ground? Whole bean? Particular origin? Light or dark roast?

— You know what? I have no idea.

— He often buys whole-bean coffee, Karim said.

— Are you certain?

— He mentioned it last week.

Lucas pointed at Karim.

— That's why you should always keep the quiet guy on the team. He remembers everything.

— Anything else?

— DIY.

— I already know that category.

— Then get him a tool.

— He owns a lot of them.

— He probably has more tools than some stores.

— That statement is clearly exaggerated.

— You get the idea...

— Is there a tool he wants to acquire?

Lucas frowned.

— Now you're asking me to know what he's planning to buy. I don't even know what I'm going to buy for myself tomorrow.

Karim closed the truck's storage compartment.

— He talks about barbecuing a lot too. When the weather's nice.

Lucas snapped his fingers.

— Right. He likes cooking outside.

Aldric added a third category: Coffee. DIY. Barbecue.

— These three areas offer numerous possibilities.

Lucas leaned over to look at the screen.

— I take back what I said. You're not turning this into a mission. You're turning it into a call for tenders.

Patrick returned at that exact moment.

— What are you preparing?

— Nothing, Lucas said.

Patrick looked at Aldric's phone.

— Looks serious.

— We are discussing a personal matter, Aldric replied.

Lucas closed his eyes.

— All right. I don't want to know.

Once Patrick had walked away, Lucas turned to Aldric.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from NovelPhoenix; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

— You could've just said we were talking about the weekend.

— That would not have been entirely accurate.

— One day, I'm going to teach you the art of approximation.

— I don't see the point.

The workday began. During the first move, Aldric continued questioning his coworkers whenever Patrick moved away.

— How much coffee does he drink each day?

— Why do you want to know that? Lucas asked.

— To assess the relevance of a coffee-related gift.

— Two or three.

Karim spoke up.

— Four sometimes.

Aldric noted the information.

Later, while they were protecting a bookcase, he asked:

— Does he already own barbecue accessories?

— Aldric, this isn't a criminal investigation, Lucas sighed.

— I know.

— Then stop asking me whether Patrick owns barbecue tongs as if my answer could send someone to prison.

Aldric looked at the strap he was holding.

— That information remains useful.

— I think he has a pair, Karim said.

— Thank you.

Lucas raised his arms.

— Fine. Carry on without me.

At noon, they sat on a bench behind the second client's building. Patrick was eating a sandwich while checking his phone, while Lucas and Karim exchanged comments about the weekend's match. Aldric took advantage of the conversation to observe Patrick. His afternoon coffee was already sitting beside him.

— Are you still studying him? Lucas asked.

Aldric lowered his voice.

— I'm observing.

— That word doesn't make the situation any better.

Patrick looked up.

— Are you talking about me again?

— Not at all, Lucas replied.

— Yes, Aldric replied.

— At least one of you is honest.

Aldric decided that the available information was now sufficient. After their workday, he could compare several options in the stores. When they finished their last job, Lucas offered to go with him.

— I want to see your gift selection process. The last time you had to choose something for Emma, you probably studied the market for three hours.

— A little less.

— Are you kidding?

Karim, who was putting away his gloves, smiled.

— I want to come too.

Lucas turned toward him.

— There. Even Karim wants to watch the show.

Aldric saw no objection. They therefore left the depot together and headed toward a shopping street. Their first stop was a store specializing in coffee.

As soon as they entered, the smell of roasted beans filled the air. Several dozen bags were arranged on shelves. Aldric stopped in front of the first display.

— There are far more varieties than I imagined. Clearly, this category is much more complex.

A saleswoman approached them.

— Hello, can I help you?

— I'm looking for a gift for a man who drinks coffee every day.

Lucas looked at Karim.

— Here we go.

— Do you know what he likes?

— Partially.

Aldric checked his notes.

— He generally drinks between two and four coffees a day. He seems to prefer whole beans. I don't know the origin or roast he currently uses.

— All right. You've done your research.

— Not sufficiently.

Lucas stifled a laugh. The saleswoman showed them several bags.

— This one is from Ethiopia. It's quite fruity. That one has more chocolate notes. And this one is from Brazil, with something rounder and more classic.

Aldric picked up the first bag.

— How long does it keep?

— Several months if it's properly sealed, but it's best consumed fairly quickly after opening.

— Risk of making the wrong choice?

— Excuse me?

— If Patrick prefers stronger coffee, could he dislike this one?

— It's possible.

Lucas sighed.

— We're going to be here all night.

— You could also choose an assortment.

— Several possibilities within a single gift.

He considered that solution with much greater interest.

— That reduces the risk of error.

Lucas shook his head.

Aldric compared several gift sets.

— You're not getting one? Karim asked.

— Not before evaluating the other categories.

Lucas ran a hand over his face.

— Of course.

The second store was a hardware store.

— At least here we'll find something useful.

Aldric looked over the long rows of tools. Drills, hammers, pliers, levels, screwdrivers, and dozens of accessories filled the shelves. He picked up a screwdriver.

— Does Patrick own this model?

— How am I supposed to know? Lucas asked.

— It is important to avoid a duplicate.

— I've known Patrick for four years, and I can't give you an inventory of his garage.

Karim looked at a set.

— Maybe a set of bits.

Aldric examined the product.

— He probably already owns some.

Lucas picked up a headlamp.

— This?

— He already owns a lamp.

— How do you know?

— He used it when we dismantled the wardrobe at the client's place on Rue Saint-Maur.

— You really remember everything. It's scary...

They continued for almost twenty minutes. Every suggestion seemed to have a flaw. Aldric eventually left the store without buying anything.

— DIY category eliminated. Risk of duplication too high, he announced.

Lucas raised his hands.

— Finally.

They then entered a store specializing in kitchen and barbecue accessories.

— Why are there so many different tongs?

Karim picked up one model.

— Different size.

— This one is forty centimeters long.

Lucas picked up another.

— That one's fifty.

Aldric compared them.

— An additional ten centimeters does not seem to justify this difference in price.

Lucas put the tongs down.

— I think you've become the worst customer in the world.

A salesman then showed them a box containing several barbecue spice blends.

— This option is consumable, so it does not create any long-term storage issues. It offers several flavors, which also reduces the risk of incompatibility with the recipient's preferences.

Lucas looked at Karim.

— He just sold the product better than the salesman.

— A little.

Aldric compared the spice set with the coffee set he had seen earlier.

— The coffee will be used more frequently.

— The spices are more original, Lucas replied.

— Originality is not necessarily an advantage.

— For a gift, it is.

— Patrick likes both, Karim said.

— That does not resolve the comparison.

Lucas looked up at the ceiling.

— You know what? Get both.

— Two gifts? That may seem excessive.

— They're two boxes, not a car.

— The total cost remains reasonable. And both categories correspond to his known habits.

— Exactly.

— This solution is acceptable.

Lucas opened his arms.

— Thank you.

They went back to get the coffee set before continuing on their way. Aldric now had both packages in a bag when they stopped in front of a bakery.

Lucas looked at his phone.

— All right, tomorrow at Patrick's around seven. By the way, your friend Emma can come if she wants.

— Did Patrick invite her?

Lucas shrugged.

— Not directly, but I'm sure he'll be happy. She seems nice.

Karim nodded in agreement.

— I'll ask her, Aldric said.

— Yeah. You can do it now.

Aldric took out his phone and opened his conversation with Emma.

Aldric: Patrick invited me to his place tomorrow evening. Lucas says you can come.

A few seconds later, the message was read. Then Emma started typing.

Emma: Me too?

Aldric: Yes.

Emma: I'd be happy to!

Lucas smiled when he saw the screen.

— There. Settled.

Karim checked the time.

— I'm going home.

Lucas nodded.

— Same.

They parted ways in front of the metro station. Aldric returned home with the two gifts in his bag.

The next day, in the late afternoon, Emma met him near his apartment. She was wearing dark jeans and a light jacket and carrying a bag containing two bottles of artisanal juice. Aldric noticed that she checked her phone several times.

— Is everything all right? You've checked the time four times in less than five minutes.

Emma put her phone away.

— I might be a little nervous.

— Why?

— Because I'm going to meet all your coworkers at the same time.

— You already know some things about them.

— It's not the same.

— Lucas talks a lot.

— Yes, I know that.

— Karim is generally more reserved.

— I know that too.

— Patrick is calm.

Emma smiled.

— Are you giving me a briefing?

— I wanted to reduce your uncertainty.

— That's sweet.

They started walking toward the station.

— Besides, Emma added, they're your coworkers. I want to make a good impression.

— Why?

— Because they're important to you.

They arrived in front of Patrick's house a few minutes early. Aldric checked the time. Six fifty-six.

— We're not seriously going to wait four minutes outside his house, Emma said.

— Arriving too early can be considered impolite.

— Four minutes, Aldric.

— That amount of time remains measurable.

Emma rolled her eyes.

— Let's go.

They walked up the short path leading to the house. A low gate separated the front garden from the street, and a few plants lined the path to the front door. Aldric checked the two gifts one last time.

— What did you get him?

— Coffee and barbecue spices.

— Two gifts?

— The comparison did not produce a sufficiently clear winner.

Emma burst out laughing.

— Of course.

Aldric stood in front of the door and checked his phone. Six fifty-nine.

Emma crossed her arms.

— I refuse to wait any longer.

She pressed the doorbell.

— There were forty-two seconds left...

— Patrick will survive.

Footsteps could be heard behind the door, then the lock turned. The door opened, and Patrick appeared in front of them, wearing jeans and a T-shirt, with a dish towel over his shoulder.

Patrick looked at Aldric with a smile, then turned his attention to Emma.

— And who is this charming young woman?

— Lucas informed me that her presence would not be a problem.

— It isn't. But I'm still going to remind him who lives here.

Patrick turned his attention back to Emma, then held out his hand.

— Patrick. The guy who tries to get Lucas to work properly eight hours a day.

Emma shook his hand with a smile.

— Emma. Nice to meet you.

— The Emma?

Aldric frowned.

— What does "the Emma" mean?

Patrick's smile widened.

— Nothing at all.

— I have a feeling this evening is going to be interesting, Emma said.

Patrick finally stepped aside from the doorway to let them in.

— Come in. And since Lucas invited you to my place, you're officially his responsibility.

— What does that involve?

— No idea. It's the first time Lucas has ever been responsible for anything.

A burst of laughter came from inside the house.

— I HEARD THAT!

Patrick shook his head.

— Unfortunately, he's already here.